RICHMOND, Va. — Why compete in the Chase, if you don’t think you can win it?

That’s Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s attitude as he tries to nail down a Chase spot on Saturday night.

“Every time you’re in, you think this is your shot,” Earnhardt said. “Every time you’re in, you got to go in with the most confidence that you’re going to get it done. This is a great opportunity that I’ve got.”

Typically, to win the championship, a team must step up its performance in the Chase — and win races.

“We’ll have to see if we’ve got anything extra in the tank as a team,” said Earnhardt, who needs a finish of 32nd or better (without leading a lap) on Saturday to lock himself into the Chase. “We’re going to be up against tough competition.

“But I’ve raced all these guys for a long time, and I feel like we belong in the Chase, feel like if we can put 10 races together. I think we can do it as good as anybody when it comes down to it. Hopefully, we can make it happen.”